GfK Radio Ratings, Survey 2 2018: Highlights + full results

Mediaweek editor James Manning’s highlights from the second GfK Radio Ratings survey of 2018.

Sydney

• Kyle and Jackie O blitz FM market with best-ever result – up to 12.3%• Alan Jones dips at breakfast – but still strong enough for 210th win• Other improvers: Fitzy & Wippa, The Grill Team, Em, Grant and Ed

Melbourne

• 3AW’s Ross and John and Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev and Byron continue to lead• Gold 104.3 still strong despite no breakfast show and all music drive• The Hot Breakfast goes cold, no growth for Jase & PJ or Gerard Whateley

2GB was #1 in Sydney for its 111th consecutive survey with Alan Jones #1 in breakfast with his 210th survey win.

3AW continued its winning record over the past 13 years. Ross Stevenson and John Burns were #1 in breakfast for the 131st time for a total of 201 survey wins.

Alan Jones

When asked by Mediaweek about the network superstars breakfast shows hosted by Alan Jones and Ross and John, Adam Lang said:

“They are phenomenal on reading their audience, driving opinion, knowing what matters and engaging talkback. They help make it the best kind of media we have.”

If the unthinkable happens and either program decides to step away from the microphone, Lang said: “We can’t define a precise timeline because we don’t know when is the right time for people to part ways.

“We are very lucky because these are generous people who have achieved extraordinary things. They do look to help build their own successors and it would almost be impossible without that help.”

Bauer Media launches latest digital destination: Women To Love

Women to Love is a cross-brand content initiative spanning the Bauer women’s digital network, including Now to Love, sharing relevant and inspiring stories of women in the arts across Australia.

Women to Love celebrates women who are making a difference, leading their field and driving conversation around women’s roles in the arts and media industries. Longer-form storytelling sees interviews with personalities like NOW founder Tracey Spicer, filmmakers Genevieve Clay-Smith and Lynette Wallworth, illustrator Kerrie Hess and writer and actress Michelle Law.

Women to Love’s launch is in response to key insights around women’s presence within senior creative arts positions. Statistics show that despite women accounting for 52% of filmgoers, of the top 100 films of 2016, just 4% of directors were female and in 2015, women made up just 19% of the workforce on top grossing films – the same figure as 2001.

“Women to Love comes at a cataclysmic time in the media landscape. The female voice has never been so prevalent in mainstream media,” says Lorna Gray, managing editor, digital features.

“Women to Love is an essential element of Bauer’s overarching Female Futures strategy, delivering an engaging, focused and unique editorial platform in which we can continue to share the type of female-focused storytelling the likes of Story54 has done so successfully.”

The platform is edited by digital features editor Mahalia Chang and Lorna Gray and will play an important role in contributing to Bauer’s corporate promise, announced in February, to deliver 10 Million Words across its brands by 2019.

The Bauer women’s digital network currently attracts an audience of 3.3 million Australians every month.

Now to Love, the home of Australia’s heartland magazine brands, reaches an audience of 1.2 million with 3.3 million social connections.

Nine launches its second season of netball on Saturday April 28

• 2018 games available via Nine, 9Now and Telstra TV

The second season of Suncorp Super Netball will broadcast live on Nine and 9Now in 2018 – returning with round one on Saturday April 28 from 3pm AEST on Nine.

Fans can get behind their state and enjoy four live matches on Saturdays from 3pm and Sundays from 1pm on Nine, 9Now, and Telstra TV.

The Nine Network will also broadcast the Quad Series resuming in September and the Constellation Cup and Fast5 Netball World Series in October.

Hosting all the action for Suncorp Super Netball will be Clint Stanaway, Jayne Azzopardi, Aislin Kriukelis and Warren Tredrea.

They will be joined by an expert commentary team including Australian netball legends Liz Ellis, Anne Sargeant, Cath Cox, Sharelle McMahon, Clare McMeniman and Sue Gaudion.

Nine’s executive producer of netball Keeley Devery said: “The spotlight is well and truly on netball following the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games success and, with the added move to Nine from 9Gem, I couldn’t be more excited for the season ahead.”

Former Australian captain and Nine commentator Liz Ellis said: “I cannot wait to call the action on Nine’s Suncorp Super Netball for another year. It’s so exciting to see netball going from strength to strength and reaching more fans every year.”

Top Photo: Suncorp Super Netball stars at Nine’s season launch in Sydney this week

Mediaweek editor James Manning looks at the weekend box office for April 19-22, 2018.

• Amy Schumer storms the chart as I Feel Pretty debuts at #1

Box office revenue was close to $15m for a mid-Autumn weekend, which was down just 8% on the previous weekend.

The Rock handed over top spot to Amy Schumer, whose I Feel Pretty was one of two new releases to make the top five.

All five movies at the top of the chart did better than $1m with three of the five showing on over 300 screens.

One movie outside of the top five, Ready Player One, is hanging around on 299 screens after four weeks with a total to-date of $13.01m.

#1 I Feel Pretty $2.49m

With a little bit of help from Lisa Wilkinson’s New York trip to interview Amy Schumer for The Sunday Project, the US comedy has opened on 334 screens with the weekend’s best average for a movie in wide release – $7,470. Schumer should make the most of her time at the top because Avengers: Infinity War crashes into cinemas later this week.

#2 Rampage $1.98m

The dollars dropped 35% over the second weekend of release as the movie was whipped off 169 screens to 300 giving it a screen average of $6,601.

#3 Peter Rabbit #1.84m

Only The Greatest Showman ($34m in 17 weeks) and Black Panther ($40.5m in 10 weeks) have been on the chart longer. Peter Rabbit dropped from 439 screens two weeks ago to 374 last weekend giving it a screen average of $4,932. The movie has earned just on $23m after five weekends.

#4 A Quiet Place $1.73m

The third weekend on the chart for the very well-reviewed horror movie that has taken $8.66m so far. It shed 49 screens to 233, which gave it the weekend’s second-best screen average of $7,441.

#5 The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society $1.13m

It will be hard to come up with a better name for a movie than this in 2018. The other major talking point is a starring role from Lily James. The film opened on 225 screens with a screen average just over $5,000.

Top photo: Amy Schumer (Source: Shutterstock)

TV Ratings Analysis: Monday April 24

• Medics called to My Kitchen Rules, but nothing sick about the ratings – 1.33m• The Voice dips back below 1m, Bachelor In Paradise last episode before grand final

By James Manning

Seven

Home and Away averaged 701,000 last week and has started week 17 on 765,000.

My Kitchen Rules featured Alex and Emily’s heady mix of Asian flavours and alcohol, which took them straight to the top of the leaderboard. However, the night ended dramatically for Suong, who was taken away by the ambos after suffering severe stomach cramps. The Monday crowd was 1.33m, up week-on-week from 1.25m.

The first episode of The Mentor from Seven Studios has launched with 489,000 in an episode that featured Mark Bouris helping to turn around a struggling Queensland real estate agency.

Seven’s other 9pm launches in the past week were Interview on 598,000 and Back With The Ex on 449,000.

Nine

A Brady Halls exclusive about a Jetstar stowaway featured on A Current Affair with a Monday audience of 950,000 after a week 16 average of 762,000.

The Voice dipped below 1m for episode five of the blind auditions.

Boy George made a second appearance on the channel last night as guest DJ on Lip Sync Battle, which did 350,000.

The footy talk shows followed with Footy Classified on 64,000 in Melbourne and 100% Footy on 33,000 in Sydney.

TEN

The Project 7pm started its weeknight run on 575,000 after a week 16 average of 490,000. Monday guests included Bill Shorten.

Bachelor In Paradise did 666,000 after 680,000 on Monday last week. The show now only has a two-part finale to run next week meaning MasterChef must be close to launch. It should be action stations as soon as MKR confirms its grand final.

The 1990 movie Pretty Woman then did 309,000 after 8.30pm.

ABC

Australian Story was on 575,000.

Four Corners did 513,000 with its report on the race to riches for Australia’s new marijuana moguls.

Media Watch was on 573,000 followed by Q&A with 385,000.

SBS

The second week of Elizabeth: Pomp And Circumstance did 235,000.

A repeat of Trust Me, I’m A Doctor was on 220,000 followed by 24 Hours In Emergency on 206,000.

Week 17 TV: Monday

MONDAY METRO

ABC

Seven

Nine

Ten

SBS

ABC

12.7%

7

23.4%

9

19.2%

TEN

12.6%

SBS One

4.9%

ABC 2

2.6%

7TWO

3.6%

GO!

2.9%

ONE

3.4%

VICELAND

1.4%

ABC ME

0.8%

7mate

2.9%

GEM

2.4%

ELEVEN

1.8%

Food Net

0.7%

ABC News

1.1%

7flix

1.6%

9Life

1.8%

NITV

0.2%

TOTAL

17.2%

31.5%

26.3%

17.8%

7.2%

MONDAY REGIONAL

ABC

Seven Affiliates

Nine Affiliates

Ten Affiliates

SBS

ABC

12.3%

7

25.4%

9

16.9%

WIN

8.6%

SBS One

4.0%

ABC 2

3.1%

7TWO

5.4%

GO!

3.3%

ONE

3.6%

VICELAND

1.1%

ABC ME

0.9%

7mate

4.0%

GEM

4.0%

ELEVEN

2.4%

Food Net

1.1%

NEWS 24

1.0%

7flix

1.3%

9Life

1.5%

NITV

0.2%

TOTAL

17.3%

36.1%

25.7%

14.6%

6.4%

MONDAY METRO ALL TV

FTA

STV

87.4%

12.6%

Monday FTA

My Kitchen Rules Seven 1,330,000

Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 1,061,000

Seven News Seven 1,038,000

Nine News Nine 980,000

Nine News 6:30 Nine 966,000

A Current Affair Nine 950,000

The Voice Nine 911,000

Home And Away Seven 765,000

ABC News ABC 753,000

Bachelor In Paradise Ten 666,000

7.30 ABC 593,000

Australian Story ABC 576,000

The Project 7pm Ten 575,000

Media Watch ABC 573,000

The Chase Australia Seven 572,000

Four Corners ABC 513,000

Hot Seat Nine 496,000

The Mentor Seven 489,000

Ten Eyewitness News First At Five Ten 452,000

Q&A ABC 385,000

Demo Top Fives

16-39 Top 5

Bachelor In Paradise Ten 306,000

My Kitchen Rules Seven 292,000

The Voice Nine 173,000

The Project 7pm Ten 164,000

Home And Away Seven 159,000

18-49 Top 5

My Kitchen Rules Seven 490,000

Bachelor In Paradise Ten 423,000

The Voice Nine 358,000

A Current Affair Nine 272,000

The Project 7pm Ten 267,000

25-54 Top 5

My Kitchen Rules Seven 556,000

Bachelor In Paradise Ten 421,000

The Voice Nine 403,000

Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 324,000

Seven News Seven 316,000

Monday Multichannel

Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 201,000

Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 197,000

The Justine Clarke Show! ABCKIDS/COMEDY 193,000

Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 192,000

Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABCKIDS/COMEDY 192,000

The Hive-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 191,000

Andy’s Baby Animals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 185,000

PJ Masks-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 182,000

Lewis-PM 7TWO 168,000

Shaun The Sheep ABCKIDS/COMEDY 168,000

Ncis E2 (R) ONE 164,000

Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 159,000

Peppa Pig-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 157,000

Peppa Pig-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000

Fireman Sam-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000

Thomas And Friends-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 149,000

NCIS (R) ONE 149,000

Hey Duggee-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 147,000

Neighbours ELEVEN 143,000

Go Jetters-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 140,000

Monday Subscription TV

Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 86,000

Westworld showcase 76,000

Live: On The Couch FOX FOOTY 60,000

Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 60,000

Paul Murray Live SKY NEWS LIVE 56,000

Nella The Princess Knight Nick Jr. 49,000

Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 48,000

The Simpsons FOX8 46,000

Shimmer And Shine Nick Jr. 45,000

Live: Big League Wrap FOX LEAGUE 45,000

Curious George Nick Jr. 44,000

Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 44,000

Family Guy FOX8 44,000

Grand Designs LifeStyle Channel 42,000

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver COMEDY CHANNEL 42,000

Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 40,000

Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 39,000

Westworld showcase 38,000

The Day Henry Met Nick Jr. 36,000

24 Hours In Emergency LifeStyle Channel 35,000

Shares all people, 6pm-midnight, Overnight (Live and AsLive), Audience numbers FTA metro, Sub TV nationalSource: OzTAM and Regional TAM 2018. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM

Media News Roundup

Business of Media

Sean Aylmer – until last October the most senior journalist at Fairfax Media – has joined Gabriel McDowell’s corporate communications firm Res Publica, reports Margin Call in The Australian.

Aylmer, once an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and a former publisher of Fairfax’s Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, joins Res Publica’s executive chairman McDowell, managing partner James Tait and former NSW National Party director Nathan Quigley.

Margin Call understands the new recruit will focus on signing up clients in the financial services industry, which is currently being battered by Kenneth Hayne’s royal commission.

MediaWorks appoints Cathy O’Sullivan head of digital for Newshub

MediaWorks has appointed Cathy O’Sullivan as head of digital for Newshub, where she will lead Newshub’s strategy and editorial direction for its digital properties, including newshub.co.nz, social channels and other platforms.

Cathy O’Sullivan

Originally from Ireland, O’Sullivan has nearly 20 years’ experience in digital, print and broadcast media, most recently as the managing editor of Noted and Now To Love for Bauer Media Group NZ. Prior to this, she held roles as Auckland editor-in-chief for Fairfax Media, head of news for New Zealand Herald and editor of nzherald.co.nz.

“I’m delighted Cathy has chosen to join us. She has a deep understanding of both product and content when it comes to news – and she has years of experience engaging New Zealand audiences. With Cathy’s appointment we continue the momentum in Newshub digital.”

Publishing

Lovatts Media throws Nourish magazine a lifeline as it acquires Blitz title

Lovatts Media has announced it has purchased Nourish magazine from Blitz Publications in a last-minute deal that has ensured the title continues to be published in Australia.

Blitz is under external administration after liquidators were appointed at a meeting on March 1 this year.

CEO of Lovatts Media Rachael Northey said in a statement that the demand for high-quality niche magazines is growing rather than declining.

Northey and her leadership team felt that a food and wellbeing title would make an excellent addition to their portfolio. With this in mind, Northey approached Blitz to offer Nourish magazine a new home.

“Against the backdrop of many publishers closing titles, our magazines are defying the trend and performing very strongly,” said Northey.

“One of our core beliefs is that magazines should be filled with content worth paying for, rather than being heavily diluted with ads. This commitment allows us to create magazines that draw a passionate audience of loyal readers. It also gives us the ability to carefully choose the brands we partner with, creating value for our readers and advertisers alike.”

Its new publisher said Nourish will undergo a redesign with a focus on sustainability and plant-based living.

First launched in March 2013 by Blitz Publications & Multi-Media Group, Nourish was aimed at professional women seeking recipes, nutritional content and eating plans, and was one of Blitz’s flagship magazines.

After digital product review, ABC to close Australia Plus websites

The ABC is moving to shut down a website that has been criticised for complying with Beijing’s censorship requirements and running soft stories on the Australia-China relationship, reports The Australian’s Primrose Riordan.

The Australian has confirmed the Australia Plus websites are set to be closed, including the Mandarin-language version of the site.

In 2015, the ABC partnered with Chinese media company the Shanghai Media Group to set up the China-focused version of the website.

An ABC spokesman said there was no final date for the site’s official closure, which was part of a wider review.

“The Australia Plus announcement was made following a wider review by the ABC of its digital products and services,” the spokesman said.

Television

Netflix and DreamWorks Animation Television have announced an upcoming Fast & Furious animated series, the first series in an expansion of their ongoing multiyear deal for original animated kids and family programming.

Following Comcast-NBCUniversal’s acquisition of the animation studio, the relationship has been expanded to include a first look at DreamWorks Animation animated series based on Universal film properties, like the multibillion dollar Fast & Furious franchise. DreamWorks will also continue creating series based on original and acquired IP.

The expansion builds upon a successful five-year relationship that has seen 14 original series debut on the service, including DreamWorks’ Trollhunters from Guillermo del Toro, DreamWorks’ Spirit Riding Free and All Hail King Julien, with an additional four series slated to debut on Netflix in 2018.

The Fast & Furious films have earned more than US$5 billion at the worldwide box office, with the Universal Pictures’ record-smashing homegrown franchise the studio’s most profitable and longest-running one.

The next film in the Fast & Furious franchise hits theatres in July 2019, while chapters 9 and 10 arrive in April 2020 and April 2021.

Sports Media

What the signing of basketball star Andrew Bogut to Kings means for NBL

The signing of basketball star Andrew Bogut to play for the Sydney Kings in the National Basketball League is bigger than Tim Cahill coming back to the A-League, comments The Australian’s sports editor Wally Mason.

It will be massive for the Kings, who are battling to carve out a place in the crowded Sydney sports market. But it will mean even more for the NBL as a whole.

Under new owner Larry Kestelman, the NBL is showing renewed signs of life after a long period in the wilderness. And the arrival of one of the biggest names in the sport in the Australian competition will take the game to the next level.

WIN Corporation knocked back request to tip in about $5m a year for cricket

Bruce Gordon’s WIN Corporation knocked back a request to tip in about $5 million a year to help pump up Ten Network’s offer to Cricket Australia, in a move that suggests tension remains between the Bermuda-based billionaire and Ten’s new owner, reports Fairfax Media’s Jennifer Duke.

Sources close to the cricket discussions say Ten approached WIN – which broadcasts Ten content outside the mainland capital cities – about contributing funds, which could have totalled about $30 million over six years.

However, it is understood Gordon, who divides his time between Bermuda, Wollongong and Sydney, rejected the chance to help.

Seven and Fox Sports could be without day-night Test cricket this summer

Seven and Fox Sports could be without a day-night Test in the first summer of their new TV rights agreement.

Martin Smith from cricket.com.au reports: The fate of a day-night Test in Adelaide against India this summer remains clouded amid unconfirmed media reports the Board of Control for Cricket in India remains opposed to the idea.

Australia is set to play six Tests in 2018-19, four against India and two against Sri Lanka, with the full fixture expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

While the dates of the Adelaide Test would be confirmed as part of that announcement, whether the match is a pink-ball affair or a traditional day Test might not be determined until later in the year.

India is one of just two nations yet to play a day-night Test, while Australia has won all four pink-ball matches it’s played.